North Korea put Euna Lee and Laura Ling, two American journalists working for Current TV, on trial today. They were arrested more than 10 weeks ago by North Korean border guards, who said, they'd strayed across the border with China into their territory.
The case of Euna Lee and Laura Ling is similar to that of Roxana Saberi, who has finally returned to her home state of North Dakota after her sentence of 8 years in prison was suspended by an Iranian appeals court.
Relations between the U.S. and North Korea and also with Iran have been poor for years. But a recent nuclear test and repeated missile launches by North Korea have complicated that situation further.
The friends of the two women had hoped a series of candle-light vigils around the United States would increase the pressure on North Korea to release them. They used Facebook and Twitter to organize the events.
Daniel Ryntjes and I attended the one on Freedom Plaza, in the heart of Washington. Sadly, it was poorly attended and then a massive thunderstorm chased everyone away. We did manage to speak to a few folks and you can listen to Daniel's story for Radio New Zealand here.
Current TV is not making a big deal out of the detention of two of their employees. But other groups, such as Reporters without Borders, are continuing to press for the release of Euna Lee and Laura Ling.
And just as in the case of Roxana Saberi, who used to work for Feature Story News, I think that's a pretty good idea.
--Priscilla Huff, Washington bureau.
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